The persistence of the Kluber and Bauer trade rumors is easily summed up as the following: Where there's smoke, there's fire. So with that, let's speculate five best fits for the two-time Cy Young winner.

New York Yankees

Since their 2009 World Series victory, the Yankees' biggest, most apparent issue has been their starting pitching. CC Sabathia's best years are behind him; Luis Severino shows ace potential but seems to have fatigue or have some kind of pitch-tipping issue late in season; James Paxton is a solid No. 2; J.A. Happ solidifes the back end of the rotation; Masahiro Tanaka had a solid year, but a 4.28 ERA (4.18 FIP) over the past few seasons doesn't necessarily scream No. 1 or No. 2 type.

While Jonathan Loaisiga and Jordan Montgomery (though currently recovering from Tommy John surgery) are viable in-house options for rotation help, the Bombers need a surefire No. 1 or 1A guy to go along with Severino.

For now, the Yankees have the farm depth to trade from, and even some major-league pieces that can be moved as well, but there's no denying they have the capital to get it done.

San Diego Padres

The Padres have long been linked to trading for a top-of-the-rotation type guy, and Kluber certainly fits that bill. It wouldn't be difficult for San Diego, which has one of the best farm systems in MLB, to make that trade.

Atlanta Braves

The NL East is up for grabs in 2019, with the Braves looking to defend their surprising NL East pennant in 2018. Some reports say that the Braves are unwilling to meet the asking price for Kluber, but considering that the core of this Bravos team is intact and here to stay, why not make that move? Their projected rotation for 2019 has the following names: Mike Foltynewicz, Kevin Gausman, Sean Newcomb, Julio Teheran and Touki Toussaint. While that's serviceable and very good, they don't have that ace at the top.

For the Braves to continue to wash the Barves moniker away, they need to make a splash and show they're for real about contending. That's why a trade for Kluber makes so much sense for more than just the pitching aspect, and with a farm system deep enough to give the Tribe a fair return, there's no reason it can't - and shouldn't - get done.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Clayton Kershaw has faced injury in each of the past three seasons. While he's still been effective, if the Dodgers want to win a World Series, then trading for Kluber only reinforces the top end of that rotation. Kluber has made 30 starts in all but one of the past five seasons - and he still won a Cy Young that year (2017).

Coming within a game of winning it all two years ago and getting their doors blown off by Boston in 2018 hurts the Dodgers a lot. They need something to reinvigorate the team, and Kluber would do that while helping prop open the window.

They're still likely the best team in the NL West, at least on paper, but there isn't much debate that the Dodgers could use his services for another run at the World Series.

Cleveland Indians

Wait, what?

Make no mistake, the Indians won't be trading Kluber to the Indians per se. But a rotation that includes Kluber and Bauer means it's still their best shot at winning a division title, so the Indians should stop all this madness about wanting to trade him.

The window for Cleveland to win a World Series is closing, and with early exits in the playoffs the past two seasons after a World Series appearance in 2016, it makes little sense for the Tribe to trade one of the best starters in baseball. Period, full stop. There's no discussion here.

Teams need to stop selling fans on "payroll" and "future" and "rebuilds" for the sake of being in a perpetual loop of rebuilding and mediocrity. Sure, there may be some reality of restricted payroll, but Kluber - who makes just $17 million in 2019 - is hardly a burden. Especially when you consider the caliber of pitcher and player he is versus how much money other players in his position make.

If it makes money, it makes sense, and keeping Kluber makes money and sense. Kluber gives Cleveland the best chance to win. Why would the Indians ever want to trade him? For some maybes and potential? Nonsense.